2. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

http://www.streetsblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/07_07/car_on_sidewalk_2.jpeg

This short story has placed among my favorites, I hardly read any good short story; but I liked this one. Especially, the register of it and the style of the author, Joyce Carol Oates, were honestly perfect. While reading the story, I felt the situation in myself (in my mind); I felt pitty for Connie at the end and a little disgust to Arnold for threatening her. However, his trials of persuading Connie to go out with him did not make me grimace. I think Oates admired me in this way because she used the technique of psychological realism.

In the story, the notable point was the music. Throughout the paragraphes, music was always in the foreground. I know that music is indispensable for everyone on Earth, nobody could lead a life without music. And this story also refreshed me that especially in the teenage period music is also very important to the adolescent. I found Connie's little secret actions with boys around the mall sympathetic. Most of adolescents (think of our adolescence) tend to do such things. Connie's caring about her appearance made me smile, too. Again, from that age on, people start to pay more attention to their physical apperance.

One critic about Connie's sister, June: I did not like June-part of the story. I mean, Oates could also lave out the sister. Nevertheless, she wrote little description of her. That was not so necessary in the story, I think, like Connie's comparison to her sister, either. None of them made me understand the story more in details, to be honest. (I am only talking about the June part, not including the family-part)

And eventually, I can say that the guys in the car are just an imagination of Connie. You know, when you are in a bad mood and stay at home, it could be dangereous enough to cause hallucinations :D, like in the case of Connie. So, my advice is just not to stay at home, get your ass up, go out and call your friends for a walk or coffee when you feel frustrated and depressed. :)

1.The Graduate

I liked the film the Graduate. The main reason for that is that it was shot in 60's. Nowadays I just interest in those years. Anyways..

I actually do not like Holywood movies (especially today ones) ; because they are homogeneous. However, this film differs from them. I think its reason is that it's an old one, in the past more serious/aesthetical movies were produced.

The soundtrack of the movie is great; although one song (Mrs. Robinson) was covered more than one time :D

About generation gap I can say: In life there is always a lack of understanding&empathy among people, so between the youth and the old ones the same thing exists as well. However, I find it alright that a generation gap exists. It is part of being a young and an old one. If you are a parent, than you of course want your kid to have the best; you want them to study, to seek a job etc. On the other hand, the young one'd like to do something else. As a result, such a gap is likely to emerge. However, as I said, I blame nobody for having that gap, more precisely, I do not get angry about Benjamin's dad or about Benjamin himself. I find this situation natural.

I did not see any devaluation of youth in the movie, did I? We should discuss this in the lesson.. I only remember the scene where Benjamin decided to attend the wedding as a guest. There, the receptionists treat Benjamin as if he is only a naiv, young person. Their gestures show their thoughts about the boy clearly. Young people are always seen as naiv and inept(I am not sure whether this adjective goes here..)

I really angry about Benjamin revealing his relationship with Mrs. Robinson to Eileen. That is a bad mistake to make. If you have a secret, you must keep it. It doesn't matter how much you get angry or disappointed. Maybe Benjamin will learn later how to react in such situations, he is unexperienced and knowing-nothnig at this age anyway(!)

The last scene where Benjamin escapes Eileen reminded me of our old Turkish movies. In them, the man also escapes the bride in the last minute and from the wedding-hall :D Besides, if I were Eileen, I wouldn't go with Benjamin. He did not do anything for making Eileen come back to him. However, at the end, she just seems happy to be with him. That is not realistic, I think.

And consequently, Eileen's screams fascinated me a lot :D

*http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/images/2007/08/13/the_graduate_386x470.jpg

Another Start

This is the day.. Blogging continues. Welcome to my blog for ENG 102.

Dolce Vita!